West Palm Beach April 2026

A P R I L 2 0 2 6 | W E S T PA L M B E A C H 13 and initiatives aimed at strengthening both public and private K–12 education. One area where Silagy has become deeply engaged is transportation planning. “Just ignoring the problem and kicking the can down the road does nothing but pass the baton on to the next generation, and we refuse to do that.” Rather than waiting for public government alone to solve the problem, Related Ross has hired transportation engineers and begun planning integrated, intermodal systems. That sense of shared public-private responsibility defines Related Ross’s leadership philosophy. “It’s all of our responsibility, not just the government’s.” For Silagy, leadership also means ownership. “A large part of leadership is taking responsibility,” he explained. “Being willing to say, ‘I hear you, but it’s time to make a decision, and I’ll take responsibility for it.’” He believes strong leaders empower their teams while holding them to high standards. That approach, he notes, creates organizations capable of tackling hard problems. “Good leaders bring together teams, equip them, train them, and then support them.” Silagy is unequivocal about the importance of culture. “Nothing is more important in an organization than culture,” he said. “Like it or not, culture is set from the top.” At Related Ross, that culture is rooted in long-term ownership and stewardship. “We are owners and operators for the long term,” Silagy explained. “We design, engineer, and build with the expectation that we’re going to own these assets forever.” That mindset, he says, fundamentally changes decision-making. “It’s very different than a developer whose investment horizon is five years.” When asked how he defines success, Eric points beyond balance sheets. “Ultimately, it’s about what you’ve accomplished and the impact that you have on the community surrounding you,” he said. That includes creating opportunities for people who have historically been left behind. “We have an obligation to make sure that all of our citizens have the opportunity to share in the American dream,” Silagy added. For him, that American dream is both simple and enduring. “The next generation should be better off than the previous one.” As Palm Beach County continues to experience unprecedented growth, Silagy believes the moment demands courage. “We are blessed with growth and success,” he said. “Shame on us if we don’t take advantage of that today and invest for tomorrow.”